ROUTE 137 buses and school services are delayed up to 15 minutes and are being diverting away from Richardson Road in Salt Ash due to a fire in the area.

RFS crews were working on containing a grass fire along Richardson Road, near Paul's Corner, Salt Ash, which broke out about noon.

Richardson Road between the roundabouts at Pauls Corner and Campvale was closed in both directions. This was so crews could carry out backburning in the area.

Bus routes affected:

137 Raymond Terrace to Lemon Tree Passage via Medowie and Salt Ash

137 Lemon Tree Passage to Raymond Terrace via Medowie and Salt Ash

Emergency services were advising motorists travelling in the area to use caution and use an alternative route to Richardson Road.

Nelson Bay Road and Medowie Road were still open.

EARLIER:

RICHARDSON Road between Salt Ash and Campvale was closed on Friday afternoon with NSW Rural Fire Service crews working to contain a bushfire in the area.

NSW RFS superintendent for the Lower Hunter, Jayson McKellar, said six crews were on scene of the grass fire, which started about 12.30pm on August 28.

The fire is burning near Paul’s Corner at Salt Ash, however Superintendent McKellar said the RFS ‘‘don’t have great concerns’’ about it.

‘‘There is nothing under threat at the moment.’’

Superintendent McKellar said the greatest challenge for firefighters was the wet ground the fire was burning on.

Richardson Road has been closed between the roundabout at Paul’s Corner, Salt Ash and roundabout at Medowie Road, Campvale.

The closure is also to provide a safe zone for crews to carry out hazard reduction burning.

Motorists were being advised to use Nelson Bay Road and Medowie Road as alternatives.

Residents in the area were being advised to follow the direction of emergency services on scene.

To stay up to date, go to the Live Traffic NSW website.